SIT Expands Phone-Tapping Investigation, Questions BRS Leader Santosh Kumar

The investigation into the alleged illegal phone tapping during the previous BRS government has intensified, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) expanding its questioning of key political figures. Former Rajya Sabha MP Joginipalli Santosh Kumar appeared before investigators on Tuesday following official notices. He was examined at the Jubilee Hills ACP office , where officials reportedly questioned him for several hours regarding his possible links and knowledge related to the surveillance allegations.

Santosh Kumar, known to be a close relative of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao , was served notices a day earlier directing him to present himself before the investigating officer. His appearance comes as part of a broader probe into accusations that, during the earlier administration, phones belonging to political leaders , businesspersons , journalists , and even individuals connected to the judiciary were intercepted without proper legal authorization.

The SIT has already questioned other senior BRS leaders in connection with the case. Party Working President K.T. Rama Rao attended questioning on January 23, while senior MLA T. Harish Rao appeared before the SIT on January 20. Investigators are attempting to establish the chain of command, the scope of the alleged surveillance network, and whether any state machinery was misused for political or personal purposes.

A central figure in the case is former Telangana Special Intelligence Bureau chief T. Prabhakar Rao , who has been named as the prime accused. Authorities suspect that intelligence infrastructure and technical systems may have been misused, and that digital evidence and sensitive intelligence data were allegedly tampered with or deleted to conceal activities. As part of the probe, Hyderabad Police arrested a suspended DSP from the Special Intelligence Bureau along with three other police officials in March 2024. They faced allegations related to electronic data destruction and involvement in unlawful interception of communications. All four were later granted bail.

The case has sparked major political debate in Telangana, with opposition parties demanding accountability and transparency, while BRS leaders have maintained that the inquiry should remain impartial and not be politically motivated. As the SIT continues to record statements and analyze electronic records, the outcome of the investigation is expected to have significant political and legal implications in the state.